Bayt Jālā John’s next letter to Lynn Catoe is certainly newsy. He mentions Ivan Sanderson (and John’s impatience with his rambling meetings), the Condon Report, a curious interaction with a UFO witness, a new report of a Man In Black in West Virginia, an exploding arsenal in Iowa, and unspecified “startling new things” about Gray Barker. He also responds to Ms. Catoe’s meeting with James McDonald and complaints about her dog. Bob Lowe and Dr. Condon were mentioned in a footnote in her last letter; Ivan Sanderson had confused the two.
These letters to Lynn Catoe are priceless! They form a fascinating conversation that helps understand what really was going on in his life. Helping ordinary folks communicate with mysterious flying objects and getting reports of an MIB looking for him down in West Virginia. Can you imagine him being married? “How was your day dear”? Thanks again Doug.
Comment by Clarence Carlson — August 19, 2020 @ 4:32 pm
Thanks, Carl! Yes, there’s a lot in them about the “rotten mess” of ufology at the time. John’s daily life seems to have been quite bizarre.
Comment by Doug — August 20, 2020 @ 11:51 am
An arsenal a month was blown up? The only arsenal in Iowa is Rock Island Arsenal (technically the post office is in Illinois). Guard armory? Anti-Vietnam action or is Mr. Keel thinking alien? Thank you for considering my questions!
Comment by DaveO — August 23, 2020 @ 10:57 pm
As usual, intriguing-as-hell material. Thank you, Doug!
Comment by William Grabowski — August 24, 2020 @ 6:52 am
Dave — It looks like John was collecting reports about arsenal explosions, but hadn’t come to any conclusions yet.
Comment by Doug — August 25, 2020 @ 12:07 pm
Thanks, Bill!
Comment by Doug — August 25, 2020 @ 12:08 pm
Thank you sir!
Comment by DaveO — August 25, 2020 @ 10:44 pm
[…] obituary page, and we agree that William Nash “should never be forgotten.” And in A Letter to Lynn Catoe, February 2, 1968 John Keel describes a potpourri of people of various backgrounds touched in some way by the UFO […]
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